Sunnyside girls chalk up first 'W' of spring season

Lady Greyhounds avert 11th consecutive shutout

Thursday afternoon's prep tennis match resulted in a pair of firsts for both the Sunnyside and Grandview girls squads.

For the Lady Grizzlies, host of yesterday's non-league match, the 5-2 victory over visiting Grandview was their first team win this spring in nearly a dozen outings.

The Lady 'Hounds, despite coming out on the short end of the score, could take some solace in that yesterday was the first time this season they haven't been shut out. Prior to Thursday's encounter the Grandview girls squad had lost 10 straight matches by 5-0 scores.

Grandview Coach Ronda Penwell, in reference to her girls team averting the shutout, said the two wins in the 5-2 loss to Sunnyside were the high note for her squad in the match. Notching the victories for the Lady 'Hounds were singles players Esmeralda Jacobo and Evann Swearingen.

"These wins were the first wins of the season for the girls team," said Penwell.

"Esmeralda has improved her game tremendously in the past few weeks and it showed today in her solid win with a score of 6-2, 6-1," Penwell said.

Penwell also credited the play of Logan Alvarez, who filled the No. 4 boys singles slot for GHS. She said Alvarez narrowly missed chalking up a victory in an extremely close three-set match.

Sunnyside Coach David Downing was obviously pleased that his girls team, with just four regular season matches remaining this spring, finally broke through and earned a victory.

He noted the Lady Grizzlies sustained losses in No. 3 and 4 singles play, but came out on top in the five other match-ups to secure the 5-2 victory over Grandview's girls.

"It is good to have a win in the late season to keep our spirits up," Downing said. "The players feel good about the win today and the coaches are pleased with the performances all-around."

Sunnyside's boys squad, improving its overall record on the season to 4-7, defeated Grandview by a 7-0 score Thursday afternoon. Grandview's boys fell to 1-10 with yesterday's loss.